One of Australia’s most beloved tenor crossover artists, Mark Vincent burst into our consciousness thanks to a stirring rendition of Nessun Dorma on Australia’s Got Talent in 2009, and never looked back. He has performed in venues around the world, and eight of his albums to date have topped the ARIA Classical Crossover charts. He’s also performed in musical theatre, from Dirty Dancing to My Fair Lady. He’s now performing in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats, currently playing at Sydney’s Theatre Royal.In this deeply personal and wide-ranging interview, Mark reflects on his extraordinary journey from singing as an eight-year-old in his grandparents’ Italian restaurant to becoming Australia’s best-selling classical crossover artist. He discusses his current role as Old Deuteronomy in Cats, his enduring passion for music, and formative influences including Andrea Bocelli, Julie Andrews, and Mario Lanza. He opens up about childhood challenges, early financial hardship, and the pressure of supporting his family from a young age. Mark also speaks candidly about fatherhood, and how personal struggles have shaped both his character and artistry. The interview is rich with emotion, humour, and music – from Nessun Dorma to My Way – offering a heartfelt portrait of an artist whose voice and vulnerability go hand in hand.Mark Vincent performs in Cats at Sydney’s Theatre Royal until September 6, before heading to the other capitals. He is in concert with the Australia Symphony Orchestra at Glen Street Theatre on Sunday, July 5.
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Sam Allchurch: Creating a perfect harmony
Conductor and music director Sam Allchurch’s repertoire spans the works of Bach and Handel through to contemporary works by Australian composers. The Sydney Morning Herald said that under his leadership, “Sydney Chamber Choir’s singing is as nuanced and refined as ever, and their spirit abounds in hope”.Sam returns to In Conversation to discuss the Sydney Chamber Choir's 50th anniversary gala, which features Paul Stanhope’s Requiem along with five specially commissioned works from Australian composers. He delves into the choir’s dual focus on early and contemporary music, explains the commissioning process from a conductor’s perspective, and reflects on the choir’s resilience during the pandemic. Sam also speaks about his musical upbringing, his formative experiences including with the Gondwana Choirs, his ambitions for greater national and international recognition for the choir, and the importance of re-performing new music. We hear about his masterclass with the Berlin Radio Choir, the specific challenges of choral conducting, and his personal inspirations.Sydney Chamber Choir presents its 50th Anniversary Gala Concert at 3pm, Saturday 5 July in the City Recital Hall.
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Helena Rathbone: Violinist unleashed
Helena Rathbone has long been a central and beloved figure in Australia’s musical life. As Principal Violin and sometimes leader of the Australian Chamber Orchestra, she brings both incisive musicianship and deep artistic integrity to everything she touches. She’s equally at home leading string ensembles, mentoring young musicians, or stepping into a solo spotlight.In this wide-ranging and warm interview, Helena reflects on her rich musical life as Principal Violin of the ACO and co-director of the upcoming ACO Unleashed tour. She shares stories from her musical upbringing in a singing family, her training in the UK including at the Guildhall School of Music, her experiences with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and her decision to move to Australia to join the ACO 30 years ago. She talks about her passion for mentoring young musicians through the ACO’s emerging artist programs, her treasured Stradivarius violin, and the emotional significance behind her music choices.Helena Rathbone co-directs the Australian Chamber Orchestra for ACO Unleashed around Australia from June 21 to July 2.
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Eamonn Dougan: Adventures of a choral chihuahua
Associate Conductor of The Sixteen, Eamonn Dougan has built a reputation as an inspirational communicator with a wide-ranging and adventurous repertoire. In addition to his work with The Sixteen, he is the founding director of Britten Sinfonia Voices and Music Director of the Thomas Tallis Society. The website Bachtrack perhaps sums him up best, praising his “remarkable knack for finding the perfect balance between allowing the emotion time to speak, while keeping everything moving.”In this conversation, Eamonn shares his passion for unearthing overlooked musical treasures, including the rich and rarely heard repertoire of the Polish Baroque. He speaks warmly about his educational work with emerging artists, advocating for ensemble singing as a distinct discipline deserving serious attention. We also discuss the origins and impact of his podcast Choral Chihuahua, created during the pandemic and now in its eighth season, as well as his approach to recording, and the lasting emotional power that music holds in his life.Eamonn Dougan is currently in Australia guest directing The Song Company for Love’s Four Seasons, a compelling program exploring the cycle of human relationships through madrigals by Monteverdi, Gesualdo, and Barbara Strozzi, alongside modern works. At the time of publication, performances have already taken place in Newcastle, Wollongong and Canberra, with further concerts at the Utzon Room of the Sydney Opera House on Saturday 14 June and at the Blackheath Uniting Church on Sunday 15 June.
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Luke Spicer: The making of a modern maestro
One of Australia’s foremost young conductors, Luke Spicer has appeared as guest conductor of the Tasmanian, Queensland, and Canberra Symphony Orchestras, and as a conductor and music director with Opera Australia. He’s also been guest Assistant Conductor at the Bruckner Orchestra Linz, the Saarländisches Staatstheater of Saarbrücken, and with the Sydney Symphony, working with both Simone Young and Vladimir Ashkenazy.In this conversation, Luke reflects on his journey from violinist to violist to conductor, influenced by formative experiences including a pivotal moment in Bathurst. He recounts studying under demanding mentors like Gianluigi Gelmetti, and his early performing experiences, including touring with Opera Australia. Luke Spicer conducts musicians of the Guizhou Chinese Orchestra and the Australia Orchestra for Folk Reimagined: East in Symphony in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House on Monday 7 July and at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Wednesday 9 July.
In Conversation is brought to you by 2MBS Fine Music Sydney.
In each episode, Simon Moore speaks to a figure in our artistic landscape, delving into all the detailed and interesting facets of their life, from the trivial to the profound. Our guest also introduces some musical extracts that are meaningful to them.
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